The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) says the latest move by hospital administrators before Fair Work Australia will detract from conciliation talks.

The Victorian Hospitals Industrial Association (VHIA) yesterday lodged an application to the tribunal asking for a previous order to be reworded in a way that puts a stop to all industrial action by nurses, not just some actions.

Nurses will rally at State Parliament today to draw attention to their calls to retain nurse patient ratios as part of an enterprise bargaining agreement.

The union's Lisa Fitzpatrick says the move by the hospitals association is wasting time.

"I think really what needs to happen [is] we need to focus on negotiating an outcome," she said.

"We need people sitting around the table with the expressed intention of fixing the dispute."

Ms says protesters will march up Bourke Street to Parliament House this afternoon.

"We've had a lot of contact from members of the community asking how can we support you," she said.

Free trade is the oldest argument in federal politics and the issue that literally defined the federation era but opposition exists to the TPP, courtesy of the Investor-State Dispute Resolutions clause.